Wheel alignment apparatus



June 17, 1952 Filed April 25, 1949 K. VOLlS WHEEL ALIGNMENT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR /Cscw V0.4 /s

June 17, 1952 K. VOLlS WHEEL ALIGNMENT APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZELE; E

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lll/66 Il l l l i k67 JNVENTOR. KfW/P l/Oz/s www meyyw June 17, 1952 K. vous 2,601,187

WHEEL ALIGNMENT APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENToR. /ff/w? V04 /s June 17, 1952 K. vous 2,601,187

WHEEL ALIGNMENT APPARATUS 'Filed April 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. A6545? Voz/5 @am x/wfQA/a/o Patented June 17, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT GFP-fillCEv WHEEL ALIGNMENT' APPARATUS Kerr Volis, Grosse Pointe Parle. Mich..

Application April 25, 1949, Serial No.i89,543

supported in planesl inclined at anvangle depending upon the camber, toe-in and caster angles.l The angularity of the-planes of rotation of the steering wheels is critical in obtainingoptimum performance and for Athe purpose of this-description is hereinafter referred to as alignmentor toe-in of the wheels.

It is one oi the objects of thisinventionto pron vide a relatively inexpensive gage capable of being readily installed: and easilyoperated to accurately indicate thealignment or toe-in of vehicle steering wheels. In accordance withithis invention the gage is provided with a ramp or guide for directing a vehicle to a position'wherein `the steering wheels are operativelyv associated with the gage.

The invention has as anotherobject to provide a gage having rolls supported: in such relationship tothe guide or ramp that the wheels at opposite sides of the vehicle areA respectively supportedA by the rolls when the vehicle isin operative `relation to the gage. In accordance withthis invention the rolls are 'rotated toimpart rotation to the wheels engaged thereby, and. are. slidable in opposite directionsalong `their respective axes.

It is still another object of vthisinvention tov provide a gage of the above typelhaving guiding elements in the form of rollers respectivelyengageable with opposite sidesof the wheel supported on one roll in a manner'such that the latter is shifted axially by anydeviation ofthe plane of rotation of the wheel from the'vertical. Assuming that the wheelengaged by the roll is a front steering wheel, theextent of .axial shifting of the roll depends on:the..toein of thewheel` and owing to the tie between the steering. nwheels, it follows that the drumengagedby the wheel at the opposite side ofv thevehicleiis also shifted rovide means rendering it possible '.torelatively'- adjust the guide rollers to vary the distance therebetween and permit accommodating vehicle wheels. havingV pneumatic tires of dierent sizes.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic plan view of a wheel alignment gage embodying the features of this invention;`

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of a part of the gage shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of a part of the gage having certainl parts broken awayfor Y the sake of clearness;

Figure 4 isa sectional View taken on the line lie-413i Figure 3;

Figure is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of-Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6-6 yof Figure/5;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary plan view'oi the portion ofthe'gage shown in Figure 3;

Figure 8 is asectional view taken on the line 8-8 oi Figure '7 and Figure 9 is a diagrammatic elevational view of the indicating means.

The gage iormingthe subject matter of this invention may be advantageously used to indicate alignment of vehicle wheels, andl is particularly designed foruse in determining the toe-in of the front steering wheels of motor vehicles. With the above -in view, reference is made more in detail to the drawings, wherein the reference character I3 in Figure l designatesfa rampv having tracks I I spaced laterally from each other a distance determined tov respectively receive the ground .engaging wheels at opposite sides of a vehicle. The tracks II terminate Aat the rear ends in channel-shaped sections I2 having a sufiicient width to freely receive therpneumatic tires ordinarily installed on the vehiclewheels. In cases where the alignment or toe-in of the front `steering-wheels of thevehicle is to be indicated, the vehicle is driven or propelled along the ramp lil to a position wherein the iront steering wheels I3 `respectively engage in the channels I2.

SupportedA directly beneath each channel I2 is an elongated roll or drum I4 having its axis extending normal to the channel and having a lengthl somewhat greater than the width of the channel. The rolls or drums I4 vare in axial alignment, andthe diameter of the lrolls is such that the top. portions thereof respectively project through slo'ts I5 formed in the base portions of the channels I2. As shown in Figure 4 of the drawings the top portions of the rolls or drums I4 lie in a plane which includes the inner surfaces of the base portions of the channels I2, and the length of the slots I5 is such as to enable supporting the front wheels I3 on the respective drums or rolls I4. It will also be noted from Figures 1, 4 and '1 of the drawings that a pair of idler rollers I6 are journalled on each channel I2, and occupy positions in the slots I5 at opposite sides of the rolls or drums I4. The rollers I6 provide auxiliary supports for engagement with the wheels in the event the latter should roll off -the drums I4 and prevent any possibility of wedging the pneumatic tires on the wheels in the portions of the slots at opposite sides of 4the drums.

The construction of the two drums I4, and the manner in which the latter are supported is identical. Consequently a description of one drum and its support wll'suflice for both, and with this in view, reference is made particularly to Figure 3 of the drawings. In detail each drum comprises a sleeve or cylinder I1 having the opposite ends closed by suitable caps I8. The caps I8 are removably secured in place by studs I9, and are formed with aligned openings therethrough. A shaft 2| extends axially through the aligned openings 20, and is journalled at opposite ends in bearings 22. The bearings 22 are secured to suitable frame structure 23, and the latter is in turn connected to the associated channel I2 by angle braces 24.

The shaft 2| is driven by a suitable electric motor having a drive shaft 26 and having a pulley 21 secured to the drive shaft. A belt 28 connects the pulley 21 to a pulley 29, which is secured to one end of the shaft 2|. The motor 25 is secured to a mounting plate 30, and the latter in turn is pivoted on the frame structure 23 for swinging movement to enable varying the dimension on the belt 28. The mounting plate is held in any one of a number of adjusted p-ositions with respect to the supporting structure 23 by means of an adjustable device designated generally by the numeral 3 I.

The drum or roll I4 is connected to the shaft 2| for rotation as a unit with the latter by the means shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

In detail a ring 32 is mounted on the shaft 2| intermediate the ends of the drum, and is formed with aligned openings 33. The openings 33 register with a bore 34 formed in the shaft 2| and having its axis extending at right angles to the axis of the shaft 2|. A pin 35 projects through the aligned openings 33 and bore 34 in the manner clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The opposite ends of the pin 35 respectively project into grooves 36 formed in the inner surface of the sleeve I1 at diametrically opposite sides of the latter and extending for substantially the full length of the sleeve I1 in parallel relation to the axis of the drum I4. Suitable rollers 38 are respectively journalled on opposite ends of the pin 35, and engage the opposite side walls of the grooves 36.

It follows from the foregoing that the drum I4 is connected to the shaft 2| in a manner such that it not only rotates as a unit with the shaft, but is also capable of sliding movement in opposite directions axially of the shaft. In order to assure relatively free sliding movement of the drum I4 along the shaft 2 I, suitable anti-friction means is provided between the drum and shaft. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings a pair of bearings 40 and 4I are respectively supported within the drum at opposite sides of the ring 32. Each bearing 4I comprises a ring 42 secured to the shaft 2| and a ring 43 suitably secured to the drum. The rings 42 and 43 are in concentric relationship, and are spaced by a ball retaining ring 44. The ring 44 carries a plurality of ball bearings 45 positioned to respectively engage the adjacent surfaces of the concentric rings 42 and 43. Thus the drum I4 is freely slidably mounted on the driving shaft 2 I.

Supported on one of the channels I2 at opposite sides thereof is a pair of guide rollers 46 and 41. The roller 46 is journalled on a bracket 48 for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the drum I4, and the bracket 48 in turn is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the inner side flange of the channel I2. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the inner side ange of the channel I2 has a slot 49 through which the roller 46 projects into engagement with the adjacent side of the pneumatic tire on the wheel I3. The roller 41 is journalled on the upper end of a pin 5D having its axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller 46 and having the lower end secured to the free end of an arm 5I. The other end of the arm 5I is pivoted on the outer flange of the channel I2 at the outer side thereof, and a slot 52 is formed in the outer flange of the channel to permit swinging movement of the roller 41 into engagement with the pneumatic tire on the wheel I3 at a point opposite the point of engagement of the roller 46 with the tire. The roller 41 is held in any one of a number of adjusted positions by means of a ratchet 53 secured to the swinging end of the arm 5| and having a series of teeth 54 engageable by a pawl 55. The pawl 55 is pivoted on a bracket 56 secured to the outer flange of the channel I2, and is normally urged into engagement with the rack teeth by a suitable spring 51. As shown in Figure '1 of the drawings, one end of the spring 51 engages the swinging end of the pawl 55, and the other end of the spring engages a pin 58, which in turn, abuts a flange 59 on the bracket 56. The above construction enables varying the distance between the guide rollers 46 and 41 to accommodate pneumatic tires of different widths.

The front wheel I3 adapted to be engaged by the guide rollers 46, 41 is guided into a position wherein the inner side of the pneumatic tire engages the roller 46 by a generally V-shaped guide 60 shown in Figure l of the drawings as secured to the top surface of the track II along which the above mentioned wheel I3 is advanced. After the wheel I 3 is directed to a position on the drum I4 between the guide rollers, the rear wheel 6I on the same side of the vehicle is blocked from movement in either direction by suitable stops 62. The stops :62 may be in the form of blocks adapted to rest on the adjacent track II at the front and rear sides of the wheel 6I. When this is accomplished the guide roller 41 is swung inwardly to a position wherein it cooperates with the opposed guide roller 46 to, in effect, clamp the adjacent pneumatic tire therebetween. The clamping action is of a yieldable nature, and for ,accomplishing this result, a coil spring 63 is provided for normally urging the guide roller 41 inwardly toward the adjacent wheel I3. The guide roller 41, however, is effectively locked in a position wherein it engages the adjacent side of the wheel I3 by the rack 53 and pawl 55.

It will, of course, be understood that when the front wheel I3 of the vehicle is supported on the asomar.

drum I4 between `the guide. rollers;` the4 opposite,

tatve.V movement to the frontlwheels; I3 of. the.

vehicle.` Since the-front wheels arefinterconnect-l ed inaccordance with conventional practice, andv sinceone of. the wheels is. yieldably ,gripped'between; theguide rollers, it follows that thedrums I4iare shifted axiallyof the respective-shafts a distance depending. on the toe-in ofthe wheels engaging the drums.A

'I'he extent of Vaxial movement of the drums I4 by the Vfront wheels I3may be readily-determined by=observing an. indicator 65. AsA shownin Figure -9 of the drawingsthe indicator 65 comprises a pair of manometer. tubes=66 Asupported in verticalY positions ona panel Ii1 which, in turn, is located where: it may be :readily viewed bythe operator. openy andthe lower ends of theftubes -arer.espec tivelyconnected to thel-innerends-ofl cylinders 611iv by conduits 69. A cylinder 68. is associated witheach drum I4, and onerofv the cylinders is shown in detail in Figure 3 ofthe drawings-as having the inner end suitably securedto the supporting structure 23 beneath theassociated drum I4. A pistonf'II) .is slidably supported within thelcylinder and divides the latter into two'chambers 1I and 12. The chamber communicates with the conduit 69 and the chamber 12 isvented to the atmosphere.` AlsoA the chamber 1I, conduit 69 and manometer tube 66connected to the conduit are lled witha suitable-liquidtofbe more fully hereinafter referred to. The cylinder assembly associated with` the other -drum- I4 is identical to theone described above, and is therefore, not shown herein. It will suffice to-point out that the chamber 1I of this cylinder-is connected to the other manometer tube 66 shown in Figure 9 of the drawings.l

The piston 10 in each cylinder 6B is secured to theinner end of a rod 13 shown in Figures 6 and 7 as having the outer end pivotedto the lower end of a lever 14.- The lever 14'is pivoted intermediate the ends on a part of the frame structure 23 by` a pin 15,' `and a roller 16 is supported on the upper end-of the lever in a position toengage an annular lbearing 11 'on th'e adjacent end of the associated drum I4. The bearing11 is concentrically arranged with respect tothe axisV of the drum, and has a rolling contact withV the roller 16.

It follows from the above that the pistons 10 in the cylinders 68 are respectively operated by axialv movement of the drums I4 on their respective shafts 2l. The two drums are normallyyieldably urged to positions on the shafts 2I wherein the pistons 1I] are centered within their respective cylinders 68 Aas indicated in Figure 3 'of the drawings. The drums I4 are yieldably, held in their normal positions. byrollers 80 respectively engageablewithopposite ends of each drumand supportedon the upper ends of arms 8|. The arms -8I are pivotedintermediate the ends on the frame structure 23, andl are pivoted at their lower ends on the inner. ends of rods 82. The rods 82 extend through openings in adjacent parts 85 of the frame 23 and are threaded at their outer ends for receiving the nuts 83. Suitable coil springs 84 are respectively supported `on the rods 82 between the nuts, `83 and the frame parts 85 for yieldably urging the rollers 80' toward each other into engagement with opposite ends of the drum. Thus sliding movement of thedrums I4 in The upper endsof ythe-.tubes 66 are either, direction V'frametheir normal positions :on the respective shaftsg I is resisted by- :the springs 814; It ispreferredatoprovidestopsik forzposi-f tively limiting inward swinging movement of.-` the rollers at the uppen ends .ofxthe. l arms 8|. These'stops. are locatedzbetween the l.lower ends ofthe arms 8| vand theparts .8520i the-frame23, and. are adjustable 1 to assureA normally locating. the drumsV I4 in their center p'ositions-.V

Operation Assuming .that-the ,wheels I 3 of aivehicle are respectively supported on, the .two-rollsor'` drums I4, and that theguiderollers;46, 41.-.aref-relatively adjusted to engage opposite sides` of a. pneumatic tire on oneof the Vwheels.I3,. it.-.will; be.r notedv4 that rotation of the drums I4 by thefshafts 12-I .imparts a. rotative movement .to theV whee1s.I3. Inasmuch asoneof the wheels-I3 is gripped by--theguide rollers 46, 41 and sincethe wheels 1I3atopposite sides of the vehicle are interconnected, it follows that anyn run-out or deviation about .a vertical axis of the planes of rotation ofthe yrespective wheels from planesfperpendicular to the axesof the drums supportingffthe wheelsr results .in the application of an axial thrust on the drums I4.. Forlexamplegthe front steeringI wheels of a `vehicleftoe-in a predetermined amount-'and when these wheels are supported on-therdrums I4, the latter are shifted axially of their respective shafts 2I a distance dependingronthe-extentof toe-in of the wheels.

With` the above n-view,let it bef-assumed that the drum 'I4 in FigureB'is-moved to. theright by thewheel I3 supportedv thereby. As afconsequence,` the lever-14f Fgurev 6) lsswung in a clockwise direction about'thepivot pin 15, and the -rod 13 is moved inwardlyv to impart .a corresponding movement to the piston 1I).v Inward movement of the piston 1Ildisplaces duid in the chamber 1 I, andvcauses Ithe fluid inthe-manometer tube l66 connected to the kchamber-1I to rise an amount proportional to the extent of 'axial movement of the drum I4. On the other hand movement of the drum I4fto th'e left increases the capacity of the chamber 1I in the cylinder, and causes-a drop inthe level ofthe fluidv contained in the tube 66. The above description is' equally applicable to the drum I4 engaged bygthe opposite wheel I3, although itis tobe'underf stood that the two drums operate independently of one another.

In order to facilitate adjusting the vehicle wheels to obtain'the speciiied alignmentor toein,reference marks are respectively located adjacent the tubes 66 in positions to designate the level of the liquid inthe Vtubes 66 Awhen the drums I4are in their normal positions deter- A mined by the centeringsrollers 8U and stops 84'. Thus by'noting the rise or fall ofthe liquid with reference to the marks 90, the operator may quickly determine the condition of the wheels insofar as alignmentis` concerned, and may readily make the necessary adjustments. The' marksv 90 are respectively located-.onyplates :SI which arev l. In a gage for indicating alignment of vehicle ground engaging wheels, a supporting frame structure, a supporting roll carried by the frame structure in a position to frictionally engage the periphery of one of the vehicle ground engaging wheels and having its axis extending in the direction of the axis of the ground engaging wheel engaged thereby, means supportingI the. rollon the frame structure for movement in opposite directions along the Yroll axis and forl rotation about the latter axis, means for rotating the roll to impart rotation to the vehicle wheel engaged thereby, guidegrollers respectively engageable with opposite sides. of,A the vehicle wheel engaged by. the supporting roll and xed against movement with the supporting roll whereby rotation of the latter wheel between the guide roller shifts the supporting roll axially anv amount depending on the toe-in of the wheel, and means for indicating the extent of axial movement of the supporting roll.

2. In a gage for indicating alignment of vehicle ground engaging lwheels, a supporting frame structure, a roll carried by the frame structure in a position tofrictionally engage the periphery of one of the vehicle ground engaging wheels and having its axis extending in the direction of the axis of the ground engagingwheel engaged thereby, means supporting the roll on the frame structure for movement in opposite directions along the roll axis and forrotation about the latter axis, means for rotating the roll to impart rotation to the vehicle wheel engaged thereby, yieldable means respectively engageable with opposite ends of the roll to position the roll and resist axial displacement of the latter, wheel guiding elements fixed against movement with the roll and engageable with opposite sides of the wheel adjacent the periphery of the latter whereby rotation of the wheel between the guiding elements shifts said roll axially against the yieldable positioning means a distance depending upon the extent of the wheel run-out, and means for indicating the extent of axial movement of the roll in either direction.

3. In a gage for indicating alignment of vehicle ground engaging wheels, a supporting frame structure, a roll carried by the frame structure in a position to frictionally engage the periphery of one of the vehicle ground engaging wheels and having its axis extending in the direction of the axis of the ground engaging Wheel engaged thereby, means supporting the roll on the frame structure for movement in opposite directions along the roll axis and for rotation about the latter axis, means for rotating the roll to impart rotation to the vehicle wheel engaged thereby, yieldable means engageable with the roll to resist axial shifting movement of the roll, a pair of guide rollers respectively engageable withdopposite sides of the vehicle wheel engaged by the roll and xed against movement withl the roll whereby rotation of the latter wheel between the guide rollers shifts the roll axially against the-actionof said yieldable means a distance depending on the extent the plane of rotation of the wheel deviates about a vertical axis from ,a plane perpendicular to the roll axis, meansv forrelativelyadjusting the 'guide rollers to vary the distance therebetween, Vand means for indicating the extent of axial movement of the roll in either direction.

4. In a gage for indicating alignment of vehicle ground engaging wheels, a supporting frame structure, a roll in the form of a drum positioned to support a selected wheel of a vehicle and having its axis extending in the direction of the wheel axis, a shaft journalled on the frame structure and extending axially through the drum, anti-friction means slidably supporting the drum on the shaft, a slidable driving connection between the shaft and drum, yieldable means resisting sliding movement. of the drum in either direction from a predetermined position on the shaft, means for rotating the shaft, and indicating means operated in response to movement of the drum in either direction axially of the shaft.

5. In a gage for indicating alignment of vehicle ground engaging wheels, a lsupporting frame structure, a roll in the form of a drum positioned to support a selected wheel of a vehicle and having its axis extending in the direction of the wheel axis, a shaft journalled on the frame structure and extending axially through the drum, antifriction means slidably supporting the drum on the shaft, a slidable driving connection between the shaft and drum, means for rotating the shaft, and positioning elements supported on the frame structure in positions to respectively engage opposite sides of the vehicle wheel supported by the drum whereby rotation of the wheel between said elements shifts the drum axially of the shaft an amount depending on the extent the plane of rotation of the wheel deviates about a vertical axis from a plane perpendicular to the drum axis.

6. In a gage for indicating alignment of vehicle ground engaging wheels, a supporting frame structure, a roll in the form of a drum positioned to support a selected wheel of a vehicle and having its axis extending in the direction of the wheel axis, a shaft journalled on the frame structure and extending axially through the drum, anti-friction means slidably supporting the drum on the shaft, a slidable driving connection between the shaft and drum, yieldable means resisting sliding movement of the drum in either direction from a predetermined position on the shaft, means for rotating the shaft, rollers supported on the frame structure in positions to respectively engage opposite sides of the vehicle wheel supported on the drum whereby rotation of the wheel by the drum shifts said drum against the action of the yieldable means axially of the shaft an amount depending on the extent the plane of rotation of the wheel deviates about a vertical axis from a plane perpendicular to the drum axis, and means for indicating the extent of axial movement of the drum relative to the shaft.

'7. In a gage for indicating alignment of vehicle ground engaging wheels, a supporting frame structure, a roll in the form ofa drum positioned to support a selected wheel of a vehicle and having its axis extending in the direction of the wheel axis, a vshaft journalled on the frame structure and extending axially through the drum, anti-friction means slidably supporting the drum on the shaft, a slidable driving connection between the shaft and drum, means for rotating the shaft, a pair of rollers-fixed against movement with the drum and respectively engageable with opposite sides of the vehicle wheel supported on the drum whereby rotation of the' wheel by the drum shifts the latter axiallyl of the shaft an amount depending on the run-out of the wheel with respect to a plane perpendicular to the drum axis, means supporting the rollers on the frame structure for relative movement toward and away from each other to vary the distance between the rollers, and an indicator operated by the drum.

8. In a gage for indicating alignment of the ground engaging wheels at opposite sides of a vehicle, a supporting frame structure, a pair of aligned axially spaced rolls positioned to respectively support the ground engaging wheels, means supporting the rolls on the frame structure for rotation and for sliding movement along their aligned axes, means for rotating the rolls to impart rotation to the vehicle wheels, guide elements fixed on the frame structure and respectively engageable with opposite sides of the vehicle wheel supported on one roll whereby rotation of the wheels by said rolls shifts the rolls axially an amount depending on the extent the planes of rotation of the wheels deviate about a vertical axis from planes perpendicular to the axes of the rolls, and means for indicating the extent of axial movement of the rolls.

9. In a gage for indicating the alignment of the front steering wheels of a Vehicle, a pair of aligned axially spaced rolls positioned to respectively support the ground engaging wheels, means supporting the rolls for rotation and for sliding movement independently of one another along their respective axes, means for independently rotating the rolls to impart rotation to the vehicle wheels, guide elements xed against movement with the rolls and respectively engageable with opposite sides of the vehicle wheel supported by one roll whereby rotation of the wheels by the rolls shifts the latter axially an amount depending on the extent the planes of rotation of the wheels deviate about a vertical axis from planes perpendicular to the axes of the rolls of the wheels, means supporting the guide elements for relative adjustment in directions toward and away from one another to vary the distance therebetween, and means for independently indicating the extent of axial shifting movement of the rolls.

10. In a gage for indicating alignment of vehicle ground engaging wheels, a supporting frame structure, a roll carried by the frame structure in a position to frictionally engage the periphery of one of the vehicle ground engaging wheels and having its axis extending in the direction of the axis of the ground engaging wheel engaged thereby, means supporting the roll on the frame structure for movement in opposite directions along the roll axis and for rotation about the latter axis, means for rotating the roll to impart rotation to the vehicle wheel engaged thereby, a lever pivotally supported intermediate the ends on a part fixed against movement with the roll for swinging movement about an axis perpendicular to the roll axis, a roller supported on one end of the lever with its axis extending generally parallel to the axis of pivotal movement of the lever and having a rolling contact with one end of said roll, a fluid displacement device connected to the lever for operation by the latter in response to axial displacement of the roll, and an indicator operated by the displacement device.

1l. The gage set forth in claim 10 in which axial shifting movement of the roll in either direction from a predetermined position is resisted by yieldable means acting on said roll.

12. The gage set forth in claim 10 in which the displacement device comprises a cylinder, a piston slidable in the cylinder and connected to the lever for operation by the latter, and a manometer tube having a fluid connection with the cylinder at one side of the piston. f

KERR VOLIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,609,996 Evans Dec. 7, 1926 1,931,780 Weaver Oct. 24, 1933 1,954,442 Dall et al Apr. 10, 1934 2,036,653 Starr Apr. 7, 1936 2,070,873 Stroud Feb. 16, 1937 2,114,481 Taber Apr. 19, 1938 2,251,803 Pummill Aug. 5, 1941 2,270,230 Pearce Jan. 20, 1942 2,493,856 Buhler Jan. 10, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 667,075 France June 3, 1929 

